Three years of change: A farewell to the industry from Roger Jask

I have held the position of executive vice president of the

Air Conditioning Contractors of America for the last three years, and, if I have to sum up those years in one word, that word would be change. In those years, I had to deal with a great number of changes both internally and externally. I predict that change will continue to be a major factor for ACCA and the HVACR industry in the years to come.

In those three years, we experienced change in what constitutes a contractor. From the start, there has always been the independent contractor who is the bedrock of the HVACR contracting industry. The first change brought us the consolidated contractors, who gave us a new perspective on doing business as an HVACR contractor. That change was followed by the utility-owned contractors, who also brought new business challenges to the independent contractors and ACCA. Finally, we experienced the manufacturer-owned contractor. Each brought its very own opportunities and challenges to ACCA, but one thing has always prevailed: The contractor has always been the most important asset in the HVACR industry. No matter how they were structured, ACCA had to be broad-minded enough to serve them all. We embraced all contractors and we became "inclusive." No matter how they were structured, it was always exciting to serve and represent them.